DURHAM — Brian McCloskey, the former University of New Hampshire women's hockey coach who was terminated last year after a Nov. 30 incident involving a player, is now the subject of a criminal investigation.

UNH Police Chief Paul Dean said the criminal probe stems from the Nov. 30 incident that allegedly occurred on the team's bench during a game against Ohio State University.

The investigation began about two weeks ago when a female victim involved filed a complaint against McCloskey, he said. The complaint alleges McCloskey committed simple assault, a misdemeanor.

“It's based on that incident,” Dean said. “A female victim came forward and made a complaint to the police department.”

UNH police are investigating the incident in collaboration with the Strafford County Attorney's Office. Durham police have also assigned a female detective to the case at Dean's request.

“I was approached by Chief Dean who said that there was an investigation and he could use a hand,” Durham Police Chief Dave Kurz said, adding the detective will help UNH police interview potential witnesses.

McCloskey, who coached at UNH for more than 20 years, was fired in early December for allegedly having “inappropriate physical contact” with the female student during the Nov. 30 loss to Ohio State. UNH did elaborate on the nature of that contact.

McCloskey claims he grabbed the back of the player's jersey and reprimanded her for talking back and not listening to direction. He believes the incident did not justify his termination.

Attempts Tuesday to reach McCloskey's attorney for comment on the criminal probe were not immediately successful.